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Caught on Video: GOP Congressman's Unexpected Reaction to Staffer Stopping Him From Entering Meeting in Progress
FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2011 file photo, Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska speaks in Anchorage, Alaska. On Friday, June 20, 2014, the House Ethics Committee announced that they have found that Young violated House rules by using campaign funds for personal trips and accepting improper gifts. The committee called on the Republican to repay the value of the trips and gifts, totaling about $59,000, to his campaign and the donors, and to amend his financial disclosure statements to include gifts he had not reported. The committee also issued a "letter of reproval," or rebuke. (AP Photo/Dan Joling, File) AP Photo/Dan Joling, File

Caught on Video: GOP Congressman's Unexpected Reaction to Staffer Stopping Him From Entering Meeting in Progress

"Regardless, my reaction was wrong."

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) has apologized after a video emerged showing him grabbing and twisting a U.S. House staffer’s arm who tried to stop him from entering a GOP meeting in progress. After the show of force, the congressmen entered the meeting as the staffer rubbed his arm.

Vine Vine

In a statement to Politico, Young apologized for his actions and admitted he didn’t know the staffer and didn’t know of a rule preventing lawmakers from returning in the middle of a meeting.

He also said, "Regardless, my reaction was wrong, and I should have never placed my hands on the young man."

The staffer was identified by Thorp as David Smentek, who has reportedly worked in the U.S. House for about six months.

The video, captured by NBC News producer Frank Thorp V, quickly went viral:

(H/T: Daily Mail)

Featured image via AP

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Jason Howerton

Jason Howerton

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